On Thursday (18th), the funeral of firefighter Ho Wai-ho, who died in the fire at Homantin Estate in Tai Po, was held at the World Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom. The funeral hall was adorned with a banner that read “May Your Noble Spirit Last Forever,” and there was a heart-shaped wreath with words like “Heartbroken” from his fiancée. Wreaths from Ho Wai-ho’s elder brother and younger brother were inscribed with sentiments like “Losing a Beloved Brother.”
Outside the funeral parlour, there were numerous floral tributes from various sectors of society and heartfelt cards from citizens, with many bringing white flowers in mourning.
Several political figures paid their respects at the funeral parlour, including Secretary for Home Affairs Caspar Tsui and former Chief Executive Donald Tsang.
Born in 1987, Ho Wai-ho joined the Fire Services Department as a firefighter in 2016. On November 26th, a major fire broke out at Homantin Estate in Tai Po, eventually escalating to a level 5 fire. Ho Wai-ho arrived at the scene around 3:01 pm, responsible for rescue operations underground. Communication with him was lost around 3:30 pm. After a search by firefighters, Ho Wai-ho was found around 4:01 pm in an open area near Wang Cheung House with facial burns. He was immediately rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.
On Friday (19th), the Fire Services Department held a funeral with the highest honors for Ho Wai-ho at the World Funeral Parlour in Hung Hom, Kowloon. The funeral procession went from the parlour to the road outside Homantin Estate in Tai Po, then proceeded to the Shatin Fire Station where he was stationed to receive a final salute from his comrades. Finally, the procession moved to Wo Hop Shek Cemetery for the burial ceremony.